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Cotswolds Place

Stars of Broadway, Cotswolds

Broadway· history· tours

20 Aug

Our pretty Cotswolds’ village – the ‘other’ Broadway – has a surprisingly star-studded past of its own.

From historic royalty and glamorous artists to film stars, the village has had its share of dramas. Join us below for a wordy wander around Broadway, England with Blue Badge guide Sean Callery.

Sean Callery guides a Cotswolds tour

Sean offers a variety of quirky small-group walking tours across the Cotswolds, including his ‘Broadway Stars’ which passes right by your front door when you stay with us. You can book yourself a place via his guiding website Offbeat Cotswolds

Curtain Up!

“Broadway’s honey-stoned beauty brings many visitors, but it is much more than just a pretty face: its 1000-year history takes in a medieval market, a stagecoach hotspot and a set of Bohemian artists who visited, loved and stayed.

At the heart of Broadway lies the village green, a picnicker’s paradise with plenty of room to spread a blanket and tuck into locally bought treats. The wide span of the road here gave the village its name: Broad Way was part of an ancient Ridgeway route that became a market place and then an important stopover on the London-Worcester run during the stagecoach era. 

Keep an eye on the road for a chucklesome vehicle or two. The village is in Wychavon district and a competition to name its recycling trucks produced some great punning suggestions. Look out for: Sir Trash a Lot, Recylosaurus Rex, the Ter-bina-ator and Binderella, among many other rubbish ideas.

Then cross the street and walk up an alley to pop into the Gordon Russell museum, once the workshop of this famous furniture designer. His styles spanned Arts and Crafts, the streamlined modernism of the 1930s, the spare but elegant post-War Utility ranges and, later, more luxurious pieces. Russell designed his furniture here and had it made in the village by 200 local craftsmen.

Gordon Russell Design Museum

The Russell family had arrived in 1904 to run the Lygon Arms. This large and popular inn dates back at least to 1377 when it was known as the White Hart. It became one of 33 inns in the village offering stagecoach passengers some relief from their jolting ride – a mere 16 hours from London. Today you can arrive via the hotel’s own helipad!  The inn accommodated both sides during the English Civil War, with Charles I and Oliver Cromwell staying – not at the same time.

Head up the High Street and you’ll pass sweet Cotswolds Place holiday apartment on the right. A couple of minutes’ further up is the Broadway Museum and Art Gallery, in Tudor House. Like many of the village’s buildings it has had several uses, from family home to inn, school and as internationally-known antique shop HR Keil. The imposing clock on Eadburgha House next to the museum is known locally as ’The Dummy’ because it has no mechanical workings – the hands are powered by mains electricity.

Eadburgha House Dummy

Milestone House, on the left as you continue along Upper High Street, is named after the Roman milestone that stands outside showing ‘London 90 miles’. The ancient stone post was deliberately defaced during World War 2 in case it revealed valuable information to invading paratroopers.

Top Secret information

Upper High Street is a calm cul-de-sac these days, but until 1998 was the manically-busy main route out of town. It’s a fine place to admire the traditional Cotswold building style, for example the pretty and much-photographed row known as Shakespeare Cottages.

Court Farm, on the right towards the top of Upper High Street, was a name-dropper’s paradise 100 years ago when it was home to American-born actress Mary Anderson. From the 1890s she hosted kings, queens and prime ministers here as well as artists and writers such as Peter Pan author JM Barrie. Her home boasted a chapel in the attic, while the gardens were designed by Alfred Parsons, illustrator of works by Charles Dickens.

Royalty, artists and writers partied here

At the top of Upper High Street a gate once stretched across the road from what is now Pike Cottage to collect tolls from vehicles about to slog their way up Fish Hill. This is so steep that passengers sometimes had to get out and push. 

Their journey took them past Broadway Tower at the top of the hill. This eccentric castellated tower has housed a printing press, served as a holiday retreat for Arts and Crafts pioneer William Morris, delighted artists and writers such as Elgar, John Singer Sargent and Henry James, and was part of the early warning system for nuclear attacks during the 1950s Cold War. It was built in 1798 for Sir George William, 6th Earl of Coventry, possibly so that his wife could boast that they could see and be seen from their Coombe Court estate 20 miles away towards Worcester. Its height of 316 metres above sea level gives views over at least ten counties on a good day.

A highlight at the other end of Broadway is St Eadburgha’s Church, which has Saxon origins and was where the village was originally born. An imposing lychgate at the cemetery entrance was built in memory of Frank Millet. This American painter and sculptor adored Broadway and encouraged literary and artist friends such as Mark Twain, Henry James and John Singer Sargent to visit. Broadway looked gorgeous and was cheaper and more restful than London. For some reason villagers tolerated the group’s Bohemian lifestyle, which revolved around music, art and fun. They became known as the Broadway Colony and the church gate tribute followed Millet’s death on the Titanic in 1912.“

Encore!

If you’d like to explore these places for real, hear more detailed stories and add your own, book an apartment stay with us plus a ‘Broadway Stars’ walking tour with Sean via Offbeat Cotswolds

You can also buy Sean Callery’s new book Offbeat Cotswolds, a cornucopia of quirky sites and stories from the area.

2 Comments

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Comments

  1. Bea Adventurous says

    January 19, 2022 at 6:50 pm

    This is such an incredible read.
    I’m a resident of the cotswolds, and its very fresh to read a different style of blog about this amazing place.

    I’ve learnt something new, thank you!
    Your photos to accompany your information were also great in building a picture in my mind!

    Reply
    • Julia says

      January 19, 2022 at 9:34 pm

      Hello Bea,
      Thanks so much for your comment and kind words! If you ever book a walking tour with Sean do please tell him you read about him here. I just enjoyed your own post about Broadway – we share a love of this special village!
      I’ll see if I can find you on Instagram now :))
      Julia x

      Reply

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cotswoldsplace

This field is a 1 minute walk away when you stay - This field is a 1 minute walk away when you stay - it’s just across the High Street. Wafting Breeze Meditation: sorted! ✨

If it’s not your cup of tea then there’s a higher octane Ferrari meet-up happening on the High Street today too 🏎

Which would you choose?!

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#localbiz #visitworcestershire  #fieldsofgreen #getoutside #broadwaycotswolds #fairytale #doyoutravel #cotswoldslife #countrylifestyle #discovergb #countryliving #cotswolds #broadwayuk #nature_up_close #naturecolors #natureshots #thecotswolds #cotswoldsuk #wonderful_places #neverstopexploring #visitengland
Not long now before this wisteria, a bit further d Not long now before this wisteria, a bit further down the High Street, is out in full magnificence - there’s already a flower or two ✨

Should we take a wander for an ‘after’ picture when the time is right? Should you come and sit at one of those tables?!

#mycotswoldsplace
We’ve never been asked for more 🤔 but are ope We’ve never been asked for more 🤔 but are open to it!

The secret is to stay here regularly ourselves: problem-solving, apartment-improving and list-making all the way. It can be a bit stressful but is generally a win-win. 

Thanks so much for your kind review Nick. Come back soon. 

>> link in bio to website where you can read more reviews and sign up for our occasional newsletter for offers or just to keep in touch 👆🏻
Did you get your clocks all in a row over the week Did you get your clocks all in a row over the weekend? 

Officially British Summer Time 🙌🏻

This gorgeous one on Eadburgha House next to Broadway Museum - just up the road from our holiday apartment - looks mechanical but is actually electric with no workings inside - tricky to change! Hoping yours were easier?

If you’re not in the UK did your clocks stay the same?

📷: @offbeatcotswolds 🙏🏻
It’s Mother's Day soon - March 27th - have you m It’s Mother's Day soon - March 27th - have you made plans for it yet? 

If not how about a Cotswolds weekend full of spring things to remember? We currently have Mother's Day weekend available.

✨  Sleeps up to 4 so bring children/parents of choice
✨  Wonderful Cotswolds walks from the doorstep
✨  Child-friendly village with family activities nearby
✨  Lovely restaurants and pubs within easy walking distance
✨  2 nights minimum stay

Any questions, please just ask!
#mycotswoldsplace

>> link in bio to find out more/see prices/book your stay 👆🏻

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#broadwayvillage #staycation #cotswoldstrip #visitengland #midweekescape #happyguests #broadwayuk #ihavethisthingwithwindows #historichomes
Neither ‘local’ nor ‘seasonal’ but sometim Neither ‘local’ nor ‘seasonal’ but sometimes we’re allowed a slight wobble, if it cheers us up, right? A taste of the tropics was needed in Broadway ✨

So this optimistic little orchid, waiting for you here, heralds home-grown blooms 🤞🏻🤞🏻which are still seeds as we speak. 

Better get on with it. Are you planting anything out yet?

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#orchidlove #discovercotswolds #lifeofadventures #thecotswolds #letsgosomewhere #lovethecotswolds #minibreak #shortbreaks #ruralretreat #orchidsofinstagram
This little car lives in nearby Chipping Campden a This little car lives in nearby Chipping Campden and is wishing you a Happy St David’s Day ✨

It’s quite Insta-famous, often pictured outside gorgeous cotswolds stone buildings in the village. Perhaps you’ll spot it when you visit, along with plenty of other loveliness waiting to be explored. 

Have you been to Chipping Campden yet? Any favourite finds there? It’s only a 10min drive away when you stay with us in Broadway ✨

📷: @lanaandthewild
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#cotswolds #thisprettyengland #forbestravelguide #britishvillages #europestyle_uk #littlepiecesofbritain #historicbuildings #gloriousbritain #cotswoldsstone #lovegreatbritain #discovercotswolds #thecotswolds #thisprettyengland #minibreak #ukbreak #shortbreaks
Not great weather in the Cotswolds at the moment, Not great weather in the Cotswolds at the moment, but all’s cosy in our holiday apartment ✨

How’s it where you are? Hopefully you’re keeping warm and dry too? 

>> link in bio to website to learn more and book a stay for yourself if you wish. The weather should be better soon!👆🏻

#mycotswoldsplace

 📷: Terence E Richardson 🙏🏻

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#ukbreaks #cotswolds #broadwayuk #visitengland #discoverworcestershire #historicbuildings #cotswoldsstone #lovegreatbritain #discovercotswolds #lifeofadventures #thecotswolds #thisprettyengland #minibreak #shortbreaks #ruralretreat #midweekescape #cotswoldscottages #holidayhomes
*Late availability* news here in Broadway - for th *Late availability* news here in Broadway - for the weekend before Valentine’s Day and also around Monday 14th itself 🤔

❤️ 2 nights minimum stay
❤️ sleeps up to 4 if you need to bring the children!
❤️very lovely for 1 if you’d like to treat just yourself
❤️ great Cotswolds walks from the doorstep as well as Netflix and your favourite wine inside
❤️ fab choice of romantic restaurants and pubs in the village 

Any questions, please just ask. 

#mycotswoldsplace

>> link in bio to find out more/see prices/book a stay 👆🏻

#broadwayvillage #holidayhome #staycation #cotswoldsstyle #cotswoldstrip #vacationrental #neverstopexploring #visitengland #staycationideas #midweekescape #ukbreaks #cotswoldscottages #holidayhomes #homeaway
When you book accommodation for a trip - here’s When you book accommodation for a trip - here’s the cosy living room in Broadway to tempt you! 🤔 - do you prefer to use a big Online Travel Agent (eg Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb) or to make direct contact with the accommodation provider? 

Tell us! We're interested to know :)) 

Our belief is that if you #BookDirect with us you can:

✨ Pay a lower price by cutting out the large OTA middle-people.

✨ Ask any questions you may have before committing to learn more about the apartment and be sure that this is the right property for your needs. Discuss seasonal variations, local happenings and anything else you may be concerned about too. 

✨ Receive extras, whenever possible, to make your stay even more special eg early check-in/late check-out.

✨ Have a better customer service experience - we’ll go above and beyond to make sure your stay is as wonderful as possible.

✨ Know that you're supporting an independent business.

>> link in bio to our website where we explain more this #bookdirect day 2022 and you can also book us directly 👆🏻

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#bookdirect #bookdirect2022 #boostlyuk #boostly #staycation #travellife #vacationrental #neverstopexploring #smallbiz #visitengland #familystaycation #staycationideas #midweekescape #ukbreaks #cotswoldscottages #holidayhomes
Regular guests 🙌🏻 Do you like to return aga Regular guests 🙌🏻

Do you like to return again to the same accommodation, if you’ve enjoyed your time there? Or prefer to always try somewhere new?

It can be more relaxing to know what’s waiting for you and if you’ve found your way around the location before - and is the biggest compliment to us as accommodation providers 🥂

Thanks so much for this Victoria and Craig. We hope to see you again soon ✨

>> link in bio to website where you can read more reviews and sign up for our occasional newsletter for offers or just to keep in touch 👆🏻

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#happycustomers #welltravelled #customerstories #minibreak #cotswolds #visitthecotswolds #cottagestyle #loveuk #staycation #discoverworcestershire #holidaycottage #broadwayuk #discovercotswolds #letsgosomewhere #takemethere #guestbook #fivestarreviews #britishvillages #cotswoldsstyle #thecotswolds
It’s been 3 years since hosting our first lovely It’s been 3 years since hosting our first lovely guests here in Broadway ✨

Happy Biziversary to us!

The idea was to ‘balance risk’ in steady, stable England following a few years of location-specific challenges with our other hospitality business @istanbulplace 

Little did we know 🦠🙄

Still here though! Let’s raise at least 2 rounds of optimistically half full glasses to the next 3 years - and you coming to stay in them! 🥂

Favourite tassel key ring by @millerandjeeves and battery church candles by @lights4fun

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The Christmas lights in Broadway have been fabulou The Christmas lights in Broadway have been fabulous as usual this year ✨

A bit of magic just when it was needed - they’ll be missed!

Have you taken your Christmas lights down yet - if you had them - at home? Without the luckiness superstitions around them, would you keep them up for longer?

📷: @heatherman20 🙏🏻🙏🏻

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Happy New Year you lovely Insta-lot! ✨ 2021 has Happy New Year you lovely Insta-lot! ✨

2021 has certainly had its challenges 😳 so we’re welcoming 2022 with open arms and high hopes, aren’t you?! 

Here’s to it holding happiness, health and wonderful adventures for you and yours… 🥂

#mycotswoldsplace 

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Did you have a good Christmas? ✨ Across the roa Did you have a good Christmas? ✨

Across the road from us the Lygon Arms has been looking resplendent yet cosy. Hopefully your festive few days were in the same spirit, despite challenges faced. 

It was a quiet one for us - not so very ‘resplendent’ truth be told 😆 with the apartment fully occupied for a week-long stay. Some welcome time for rest, reading and chocolates 🙌🏻

Upcoming availability:
Jan 5th - 11th
Jan 13th - 20th

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Christmas stars of Broadway - a small seasonal cel Christmas stars of Broadway - a small seasonal celebration with friends ✨ 

Drinks and jumpers with @helenrutts and @kerribullett ramping up our ⭐️ count! 

Thanks also to @grahamandgreen for the much-admired mantel light and @tobiasinteriors for the rusty iron LOVE letters, for that’s what it’s all about isn’t it?

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#smallbiz #cotswolds #festive #broadwayuk #visitengland #discoverworcestershire #familybusiness #staycation #gloriousbritain #bestofbritish #cotswoldsstone #lovegreatbritain #discovercotswolds #vacationrental #lifeofadventures #doyoutravel #thecotswolds #wanderlusting #letsgosomewhere #lovethecotswolds #cotswoldsbloggers #shortbreaks #grahamandgreen
The tree’s up! Less is feeling particularly more The tree’s up! Less is feeling particularly more this year. 

So it’s a simple little one for our Christmas-time guests, who’ll also have the whole of the High Street lit up beautifully for them just through this window, whenever they wish ✨

The +1 fairy on top has promised she’ll sprinkle plenty of festive magic about. No name for her yet. Any suggestions?!

#mycotswoldsplace

>> link in bio to find out more/book a stay 👆🏻

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#broadwayvillage #cotswoldsstyle #christmaslights #cotswoldslife #christmasdecor #christmasdecorating #christmastree #wintervibes #holidayseason #sweaterweather #vacationrental
An antique Pembroke table partnered with mid-centu An antique Pembroke table partnered with mid-century @arnejacobsenofficial chairs - why not?! ✨

This is the apartment’s breakfast space and is definitely bijoux, but full of character. The table has original 19th Century wheels so can be pulled out - and fully flapped up - for more extravagant eating. 

Have a lovely breakfast where you are 💫

Upcoming availability:
Jan 5th - 11th
Jan 13th - 20th

#mycotswoldsplace

>> link in bio to find out more/book a stay 👆🏻

Hanging kitchen utensils by @robertwelchuk and white crockery by @jasperconran at @wedgwood 💫

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And ‘just like that’ it’s getting Christmass And ‘just like that’ it’s getting Christmassy around here 💫

This was the first of Broadway’s trees, on The Green, to be lit a few days ago and now the High Street is garlanded with them and looking SO pretty ✨

Are you feeling it yet? Tempted to put yours up at home?

📷: @cotswoldsclaire 🙏🏻🙏🏻

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#broadwayvillage #christmaslights #cotswoldslife #christmasdecor #treeclub #christmasdecorating #christmastree #wintervibes #holidayseason #feelingfestive #treelighting #sweaterweather #broadwaycotswolds
‘Pure comfort’ - yes please! What would you ho ‘Pure comfort’ - yes please! What would you hope for, in a holiday let, to ensure it? 

Stay with us in Broadway for goose down and feather duvets + pillows, well-fitted pure wool carpets plus efficient central heating that’s very responsive and can be finely tuned. The building may be 17th Century but your comfort as the weather gets colder will definitely be 21st 💫

#mycotswoldsplace

Thanks for this Mike. We’re so glad you were cosy ✨

>> link in bio to website where you can read more reviews and sign up for our occasional newsletter for offers or just to keep in touch 👆🏻

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#happycustomers #welltravelled #customerstories #minibreak #cotswolds #visitthecotswolds #cottagestyle #loveuk #staycation #discoverworcestershire #holidaycottage #broadwayuk #discovercotswolds #letsgosomewhere #takemethere #guestbook #fivestarreviews #britishvillages #cotswoldsstyle #thecotswolds
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Hosting you in England’s pretty Cotswolds with warmth, style and 17thC architecture. A characterful holiday let ✨ Come and stay! Tweets by @juliabayne

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cotswoldsplaceCotswolds Place@cotswoldsplace·
19 Apr

Come back soon @1LukeHicks and family!
So glad you had a great stay 🥂 #TravelTuesday

Luke Hicks@1LukeHicks

just spent the most wonderful 4 days @cotswoldsplace in the beautiful #Broadway. A perfect bolt hole in a stunning location with all the luxury home comfort our growing family could need 😃🙌

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cotswoldsplaceCotswolds Place@cotswoldsplace·
6 Apr

Delighted to be newly listed on the 'Stay' page of @VisitWorcs's informative website, which is full of 'What's On' ideas too: https://www.visitworcestershire.org/stay-places/cotswolds-place-chancewell/ #WorcestershireHour

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TheMoRWMuseum of Royal Worcester. OPEN Tuesday to Sunday@TheMoRW·
30 Mar

#WorcestershireHour Thx to funding from @TheArtsSociety_ we are looking forward to inviting former factory workers such as Tony Young – a wildlife and landscape painter apprenticed in 1971, back to Severn Street sharing stories, skills and techniques with local residents @worcscc

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